Primary bone cancers are relatively rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of cancer cases, reports the National Cancer Institute. Bone cancers develop from specialized bone tissue, leading to the formation of abnormal growths on bone tissue in the body. Left untreated, bone cancer can spread to multiple bones throughout the body and to other tissues, leading to a number of harmful effects.
Broken Bones
A common sign of advanced bone cancer is progressive bone weakening, leading to broken bones. Many bone tumors are considered osteolytic---the cancer growth eats away at healthy bone tissue. Over time, the cancer growth causes bone demineralization and brittleness, causing bone fractures. In advanced cases, patients may break bones performing day-to-day activities or fractures occurring from even slight injury, according to MedlinePlus. Patients may take drug therapy to help slow bone demineralization during cancer treatment and help protect against further bone breaks.
Paralysis
In its most advanced stages, bone cancer can lead to paralysis. Metastatic bone cancer often affects a number of bones throughout the body, including the vertebrae---the bones of the spine. Since these bones surrounding the spinal cord, bone growths on one or more vertebra can place stress on the spinal cord. As the bone cancer grows, the tumor can eventually damage the spinal cord, causing paralysis, according to the Tampa Bay Cancer Care Center. Damage to the spinal cord can prove irreparable, but doctors can help repair the damage to the vertebrae with a vertebroplasty to stabilize the bones and prevent further damage.
Difficulty Breathing
Advanced bone cancer also often travels to tissues within the lungs, leading to difficulties breathing. Lung cancer growth in the air sacs of the lungs can cause a buildup of fluid in the chest cavity, called a pleural effusion, according to the National Cancer Institute. This buildup of fluid places pressure on the lungs and leads to partial lung collapse, causing shortness of breath. Cancer growth within the bronchi and bronchioles---the airways that carry air into the air sacs---can also lead to difficulty breathing, as cancer growth can disrupt the flow of air into the lungs. Patients with very advanced bone cancers may have extreme difficulty breathing, which can prove incapacitating. In some cases, these patients may undergo cancer surgery or radiation therapy to improve lung functioning and improve patient quality of life.
